Do you rely on Cabin Radio? Help us keep our journalism available to everyone.

Snowkings’ Winter Festival confirms 2026 dates, calls for performers

The Snowcastle is closed for another year. "Many thanks to the thousands of Northerners and world visitors who made XXX such a success," the festival's president said as the 30th edition wound down at the end of March. Artless Collective/Snowkings' Winter Festival
The 2025 Snowcastle. Artless Collective/Snowkings' Winter Festival

Snowkings’ Winter Festival has confirmed dates of March 1-28 for its 2026 edition and is seeking performers to fill the Snowcastle for the month.

The festival’s signature castle of snow and ice occupies a prime location on the frozen Yellowknife Bay for four weeks each year – and takes months beforehand to build.

A start date of March 1 will mean a Sunday opening ceremony for Snowking XXXI, with the season-closing final night on Saturday, March 28.

“Last year’s festival exceeded all our expectations,” festival society president Bill “Freeze Frame” Braden was quoted as saying in a Wednesday news release.

“If you want to get involved as a volunteer, builder, performer or artist, reach out to us soon. We’re always looking for cool ways to partner with community groups to help showcase everything that makes Yellowknife so awesome in the winter and spring.”

Advertisement.

Advertisement.

The snow carving symposium associated with the festival will also return, while organizers promise “a few exciting new additions.”

The festival issued a call for performers at the same time, seeking musicians, dancers, theatre acts, visual artists, spoken word and poetry acts alongside other performance artists.

You have until October 27 to express interest in performing via an online form.